Archives For Sharon Preston

Paniertes Schnitzel

Traditional German food

Sharon Preston  —  10:00 am

If you haven’t visited Germany yet, you’re in for a culinary surprise. No matter how many times you’ve tasted schnitzel and saukerkraut at home, the German traditional versions are so much more delicious! Sharon Preston visits Germany regularly on business. Here she gives us an idea of what to sample next time your’e on holiday in Germany…

german knodelKnodel
These traditional German dumplings originated in South-eastern Germany. They are made from potato, semolina, flour or bread, rolled into a ball shape and boiled or steamed in salt water. Germans love dumplings and eat different varieties with most meals. They can be served as a main meal, a side dish, dipped in soup, or even as a dessert. Savoury Knodel are traditionally served as an accompaniment to roast meat or poultry, or in veal or beef stews.

Paniertes SchnitzelSchnitzel
Yes, we know you’ve tasted schnitzel. But the real McCoy, the German version, is a little bit different from a thin escalope of veal, chicken or beef coated with flour, egg and breadcrumbs and fried in butter or oil. Veal schnitzel, called Wiener Schnitzel, actually hails from Austria, but the German versions are a little different. In Germany you can enjoy run-of-the-mill schnitzel, but you can also enjoy Schweine-Schnitzel, which is a breaded pork loin cutlet, Puten Schnitzel, made with turkey breast, and Hanchen Schnitzel, made using boneless chicken breast. Restaurant portions are usually huge and schnitzel is accompanied with fries, red sauerkraut, German potato salad, asparagus or other vegetables.

germany sauerbrautenSauerbrauten
Sauerbrauten literally means ‘sour roast’. It’s a classic German potroast made from a variety of meats, usually beef, but also lamb, pork, venison or horsemeat. Its sour flavour comes from being marinated for several days in a mixture of vinegar, wine, herbs, spices and seasonings. The dish is traditionally served with red cabbage, knodel (dumplings) and apple sauce, though sometimes spatzle (noodles) or boiled potatoes are used instead. There are several regional varieties – their difference is usually in the marinade.

 

germany paprikahendlHendl
Chicken, or Hendl, as it’s called in Germany, is traditionally served grilled, marinated with pepper and other spices. It’s very popular in most restaurants and is served with fries or a choice of other vegetables. Another classic German dish using chicken is Paprika Hendl, Chicken Paprika, made using chicken, cream and paprika. It’s usually served with spatzle (noodles) or potatoes.

Spatzle
Every country has its version of pasta or noodles, and Spatzle is Germany’s. They are an important ingredient in many classic German dishes and are made from flour, water, salt and eggs. These curly noodles range from yellow to white depending on how much egg is added. In autumn and winter, they’re served as an alternative to potatoes with roast or braised meat, poultry, game or beef rolls. They are popular in local German homes as well as on menus in German restaurants.

Brezel (pretzel)
Wherever you go in Germany, you’ll find these tasty dark brown snacks, crispy with a salt crust on the outside, or sesame seeds, sunflower or poppy seeds, and a soft dough inside. Pretzels have a unique shape and each region has its own version of that shape. To this day, Brezel or Pretzels, are handmade by bakers who have perfected this traditional craft. They are served as a snack anytime, and you can buy them at bakeries or street stands.

Currywurst
Germany’s favourite fast food is Currywurst, a boiled, fried or grilled sausage cut into pieces one inch thick and topped with a combination of tomato paste, curry powder and paprika. They are traditionally served with a roll or fries. The snack originated in Berlin.

Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte (Black Forest Cherry Cake)
Famous throughout Germany, although it originated in the Black Forest Region, Black Forest Cherry Cake is a real treat. Its made of four layers of chocolate sponge cake sandwiched together with cherries and whipped cream flavoured with Kirschwasser (cherry schnapps). It’s also covered with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and a few fresh cherries.

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Spotlight on… Dubrovnik

Sharon Preston  —  10:00 am

I visited Dubrovnik before the war, and what struck me about this magnificent walled old city was its magic and history. I walked along the ramparts and looked over the Dalmatian coastline, marvelling at the beauty of the Adriatic Sea. I explored the old city, untouched by modernity – and somehow this ancient town stole part of my heart. To this day, I long to return.

dubrovnik_beach_1If you are lucky enough to visit Dubrovnik, this is what you can expect to see. It’s a description I wrote of the city after it stole my heart… One of the most charming old walled cities in Europe, Dubrovnik has had a tumultuous past, but finally this beautiful city, with its red roofed buildings and high stone ramparts, is at peace. Once again people can come to explore this romantic place, with its maze of cobbled streets and idyllic setting close to the azure sea. Located on the magnificent Adriatic coastline with Italy its nearest neighbour over the waters, Dubrovnik has been famous throughout city for its charm and beauty. Of course, the historic Old Town, which is now designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is quite extraordinary. The city itself is enclosed by walls that were built in the 13th Century, and the buildings inside are just as well-preserved. One of the city’s most famous landmarks is Onofrio’s Fountain, located just inside the main entrance to the Old Town at Pile Gate. From there one can walk to the centre of the Old Town, to the main street, known as the Stradun. This street was originally a channel that separated an island from the mainland. The channel was then filled in, joining the two towns on either side – and that’s how Dubrovnik was formed. Dubrovnik’s Old Town is a real joy to explore. You’ll find all sorts of fascinating places, including a number of old churches, monasteries and museums. Some of those worth exploring include the Sponza Palace, St Blaisius Church, the Franciscan Monastery and the Rector’s Palace. Of course, Dubrovnik is also full of shops, restaurants and bars and you’ll find good ones both inside the Old Town and on the beautiful coastline just outside the city. This is where visitors find accommodation, and also where they come to enjoy the sun and the sea at various marina’s and coves, or walk along a selection of pretty promenades.

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Spotlight on… Cologne Opera House

Sharon Preston  —  10:00 am

300px-Koelneroper

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of my favourite locations in Cologne is the city’s iconic Opera House. Here I share some information about it…

Cologne is a city of opera lovers. The city’s residents have enjoyed opera here since the mid 18th Century. In fact, the first permanent opera company here was established in 1822 and performed in the Theater an der Schmierstrasse, which was built in 1783 and used for concerts, plays and opera.The first opera house to be built in the city was the Theater am Habsburger Ring, built in 1902 by the city. It was badly damaged during the Second World War, so opera was performed at the University of Cologne until a new building was built. In fact, the opera company also used to perform in the repaired Glockengasse and Habsburger Ring theaters too.
The current Cologne Opera House is the first modern music building to be built in Europe after the Second World War. It was designed by the German architect Wilhelm Riphahn and it was inaugurated in 1957 by the former mayor of Cologne, Konrad Adenauer, who was Chancellor of Germany at the time. The first opera to be performed here was Oberon, created by Carl Maria von Weber.
The opera house seats up to 1 300 spectators and the orchestra pit accommodates 100 musicians. This magnificent building has been designed so that wherever one sits in the audience, the stage is visible and the acoustics are excellent. The Opera House is home to a resident opera company that performs approximately 25 different operas during the regular season, which runs from September to June.
The Opera house is also part of an arts complex that includes the Cologne Playhouse, built in 1962 and also designed by Riphahn. Both theaters were recently extensively refurbished.
The Cologne Opera company is famous for producing the highest quality children’s operas in the world. And in addition to producing classical performances, it also produces operas from the 20th Century. The Cologne Opera House also hosts dance performances. We suggest you find out what is showing while you’re in town, as it would be a great opportunity to attend a performance of either opera or dance in one of the best opera houses in Europe.

In Amazing Places To Visit, Germany
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Beaches to explore in Malta

Sharon Preston  —  2:30 pm

Malta beachThe island of Malta offers a variety of different beaches to suit every taste, whether you enjoy lazing in the sun, or taking part in various water sports, such as windsurfing, jetskiing, waterskiing and wakeboarding, as well as pedalo boats, parasailing and kayaking. On this resort island, you’ll find popular beaches filled with holidaymakers, and ones further afield that are best kept secrets just waiting to be uncovered.

A number of beaches in Malta offer excellent swimming. Two of the safest swimming beaches are the man-made sand beach called Bugibba Perched Beach and St Georges Bay, right next to Paceville. For the best swimming on the island, head for Ghain Tuffieha or Riviera Bay in the north-west of the island. This secluded sandy beach forms part of a string of bays that all offer excellent swimming opportunities. Golden Bay is Malta’s largest and most popular beach and there’s also Qawra Point, a small sand and rock beach next to the Qawra promenade, which is not only great for swimming but also popular for snorkeling.

In fact, snorkeling is very popular all over Malta, particularly at Golden Bay, Paradise Bay, Gnejna, St Paul’s Bay and Comino’s Blue Lagoon. One can purchase or rent snorkeling equipment around the island, and if you would like a guided snorkeling adventure, you can hire a trained guide to help you explore Malta’s magical underwater world.

If you’re really adventurous and want to explore deeper, there are numerous scuba diving opportunities available. Malta is known for its historical shipwrecks, and there are other sites you can explore to see a variety of marine life. Diving excursions are offered all over the island, and you can easily rent the equipment when you book a day excursion.

The best place to go waterskiing is the area around Gnejna Bay on Malta’s north-west coast, as well as St Julian’s, Qawra and Little Armier Bay on the northern tip of Malta. The island is also a paradise for windsurfers, who flock to Mellieha Bay, Ghallis Rock near St Julian’s and St Thomas Bay.

Jet skiing to explore Malta’s coastline is also very popular and the best way to discover secluded beaches and caves that are only accessible from the sea. The best places to jet ski are St Julian’s and Mellieha.

Sea kayaking is also very popular and enables one to explore the coastline in a canoe. Golden Bay and Mellieha Bay are very popular choices for this.

Although the waters are very calm around Malta, there are a few areas where beginners and experienced surfers can enjoy the sport. The most popular are Golden Bay, Mellieha Bay, Imgiebah, St Thomas, and Ghain Tuffieha. However, if you’re planning to surf here, you will need to bring your surfboard with you.

Another popular adventure is sailing around the island. You can rent a boat for the day and explore the spectacular coastline, which is a treasure trove of hidden bays, secluded beaches and caves just waiting to be explored.

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Dining in Cyprus

Sharon Preston  —  10:00 am

Cypriot food is inspired by the cuisines in neighboring Greece and Turkey but it also has its own very special flavours. In the south of the island, the dishes are very Mediterranean. Fresh lemons and olives are used to add a special flavour to chicken, pork, lamb and fish dishes. In the north, the cuisine has a distinctive Middle Eastern edge. Here, an abundance of herbs and spices, including saffron and paprika are used to give dishes a unique colour and taste. Most foods are served with rice and accompanied by sauces made from yoghurt and tomato.

cyprusLike Greek cuisine, a Cypriot meal is made up of a series of appetizers, main dishes and desserts. The very best way to sample the island’s cuisine is to start with a series of appetizers called Mezedhes, or ‘mezze’. This will enable you to sample and savour a variety of delicious Cypriot tastes and flavours. The ‘mezze’ are very similar to Greek starters and include dips like Tzatziki, which is made from yoghurt, garlic and cucumber, or hummus, which is a blend of chickpeas and lemon. Cyprus is famous for its Haloumi cheese, a soft cheese made from either sheep or goat’s milk that is served grilled and can be flavoured with mint.

The most popular main dishes in the south of Cyprus are Afelia, a pork dish that is slow-cooked in red wine with mushrooms, potatoes and coriander, and Kleftiko, melt-in-the-mouth lamb that is roasted slowly for at least 24 hours in a clay oven and flavoured with cinnamon and lemon juice.

Throughout the island of Cyprus one finds a number of delicious main courses, especially Soulva, which is basically kebabs made from lamb, pork or chicken garnished with salt, lemon and oregano and roasted on a charcoal fire. Another favoirite dish is Loukanika, a serving of pork sausages marinated in red wine and seasoned with pepper and coriander. A Cypriot speciality is Tsamarella – dried goat meat in coriander seeds and wine.

The Cypriots have a sweet tooth. They love their desserts and have a number of favourites, including Loukoumades, which are small, very sweet doughnuts made with honey. There’s also Finikia, which are walnut cakes and Soutzouko, a pudding made from nuts and grape juice.

Wherever you go in Cyprus, you’ll savour an abundance of strong black coffee and wine. Cypriot coffee is freshly prepared using finely ground coffee beans. It’s traditionally served in small cups accompanied by a glass of cold water. The island is famous for its excellent wine, beers and spirits. A very popular wine is the sweet dessert wine called Commandari. Ouzo is also a very traditional drink in Cyprus.

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